Lovely Blossoms

Once the negotiations were over Gui Ren, Fen Hua, and Fei Ling were put back into the cage and the journey continued, minus one person. Fen Hua sat against the back of the cage, her mind wandering to all the death and pain she had seen during this long journey. She hated how unfair life was, how empty the worth of some were, lives tossed away without meaning. She didn't want to be like that. She didn't want Gui Ren to be like that, even Fei Ling.

She stared at the bustling city they were being carted through. This was a city full of shops and stalls. People stood in groups calling out numbers and prices to obtain the goods being offered. One group featured a woman who was selling off her emaciated children. Each time one was purchased she would break into a heart-wrenching sob. This was not a woman selling children for money, she was selling them to save their lives. At least as slaves they would be fed and given a place to sleep. The other nightmares that could come of it were pushed into the far reaches of her mind. She could only handle one thing at a time.

A man standing in the group caught her eye. He was easily one of the most attractive men she had ever seen. He seemed to shine next to all the filth and dust that covered the people and the city. He was shaking his head and the scene in front of him. He turned away, and Fen Hua caught the obvious pain in his eyes. He felt Fen Hua's eyes watching him and turned to her, their eyes meeting. Fen Hua felt a rush flow through her, becoming fl.u.s.tered, and instantly feeling ashamed of how dirty and unkempt she had to look, . She turned away with a flushed embarrassed face.

Gui Ren noticed Fen Hua's sudden change in demeanor and ruffled her hair.

"We sure are lucky," he said looking at her from the side of his eyes. "All these poor slobs have to walk around this dust ball of a city, while we get carted through it like kings."

Fen Hua laughed at the absurdity of what he said. He was right though, no point in letting any of this break her. She turned around one more time and watched as the man walked away.

Fei Ling was watching the crowd as well, but his eyes searched for someone specific. The man he looked for stepped into view. He gave a nod to Fei Ling and slid back into the crowd. Fei Ling was able to relax after that, and turned towards Fen Hua. He was worried about her. Even scared for her. She was so small, and beautiful, if she ended up in the wrong home...he forced these thoughts away, as his hands balled into fists. 'She won't have to be there long' he told himself. 'I'll come back for her soon.'

Eyes watched as they were driven through the city, some curious, others interested. By the time they stopped a small group had gathered around them.

"Out," the bigger slaver ordered. His eyes were sharp, the need to be on guard heightened here.

They climbed out of the carriage, the routine of being shackled no longer even something they thought about. The smaller slaver led them onto a small stage and hooked the chains around a metal ring that was there for this purpose.

"Today I bring to you some of the finest that the nation of Tanyeong has to offer," the smaller slaver shouted out, his voice morphed into that of a practiced salesman.

A murmur went through the crowd, a few people leaving knowing the price for these slaves would be higher than normal. Others became even more interested in them. The most common slaves came from the poor nation of Quin-dong, where poverty and destitution were just as common as flies and dirt. Any person brought from any of the other four nations was considered higher quality.

"First we sill start with this strapping mountain of a man," he pointed at Gui Ren, who stood tall and proud, his jaw set tight, his eyes hard. "He was used as a house servant since he was a child, he would make a very good guard in any home."

The slaver scanned the crowd, looking for the right buyer. He knew how to feed the interest of others, he was easily able to pick up one what someone wanted out of a slave. He spotted a serious face in the back. A man with a thick scar running down one side of his face, the look of a veteran to war. He felt his eyes light up, this would go well.

"Even better, he would be a great addition to any army force. He is built like a wall and easily trainable, but don't let that fool you, he is also sly and crafty, quick on his toes," the slaver continued his spiel, seemingly only talking to the one man in the back.

Fen Hua feeling the need to break the harshness of the situation, muttered to Gui Ren, "Who are they talking about? That can't be you right?" She had meant that teasingly, just wanting to ease some of the tension, but Gui Ren just looked down at her, his big eyes steeled and serious.

"No matter what happens Fen Hua, I will find a way to protect you," he said this just as the final bid of three hundred gold pieces was called out. It was only moments later that he was taken away by his new 'owner'. Fen Hua watched him leave, a pain like a stabbing in her heart momentarily overwhelming her. She felt weak in the knees and almost fell.

Fei Ling reached out and pulled Fen Hua to his side. He kept her steady and used this brief moment to have her next to him. To feel her warmth and hold her. He had a near overpowering urge to call every thing off. To take her now and keep her safe in his arms, away from everything that could hurt her.

He fought it down, his hand trembling as he righted her and made her stand. After he was sure that she could stand on his own, he searched the crowd. The man from before stood there watching him on the platform. Fei Ling turned his eyes to Fen Hua, then back to him, sending the man a message.